Monk gets police apology

Police on Saturday apologised to Monk Buddha Issara for firing a water cannon and tear gas at him and his group directly on Friday, which hurt the monk as well as some of the protesters.

Police Sergeant Cherdsak Taemsaen presented garlands to the monk in front of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) yesterday afternoon as a gesture of apology for firing tear gas and spraying a water cannon at the monk and some protesters.

After filing three complaints at Thung Song Hong Police Station against officers for attempted murder, violating his constitutional right to freedom of assembly, and "unjustly" carrying out their duty, the monk led a group of protesters to rally at the CAPO again. He demanded that the officers apologise and said he would withdraw the complaints.

Previously, the protesters twice almost broke through the barriers in front of the Royal Thai Police Club, as there was no response from police.

Pol Maj-General Pakphoom Satchaphan, deputy commander of the Office for Police Strategy, and Pol Colonel Songpol Wattanachai came to negotiate, but the monk insisted that the officer in charge of the operation apologise to him.